Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The First Virginia Craft Beer Month this August!

Virginia is for BEER
lovers!

What’s up, Brew
Heads!

The movement for
appreciating the greatest beverage in the world, beer, is gaining some serious
momentum! Cheers to the state of Virginia for hosting their first Craft Beer
Month! The Virginia Tourism Corporation adopted the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan,
but I had to put “Beer” in there after checking out what the state is planning
in August when it comes to the suds. Below is the official press release including
awesome dinners, hotel packages, and events to embrace the best ales and lagers
the state has to offer!

See you there!

Ale

RICHMOND, Va. –Virginia’s reputation as a
destination full of local flavor has a new experience to tout with the
first-ever August Virginia Craft Beer
Month. The month’s theme, Love on Tap, is a nod to the state’s
famous Virginia is for Lovers slogan and local craft beer on tap at more than
40 breweries and hundreds of restaurants across Virginia. The month-long
celebration culminates with the first-ever Virginia Craft Brew Festival August 25 at Devils Backbone
Brewery in Nelson County.

The Virginia tourism office has created a new, interactive
map on www.Virginia.org/craftbeer to
help visitors find craft breweries open for tastings and tours and plan
a visit.
The site also features special events and Virginia craft beer travel packages
throughout August.

“Virginia is for Lovers is about love – pure and simple,”
said Rita McClenny, interim president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism
Corporation. “Our craft breweries are found throughout the state and are
ideal places for people who love local beers, outdoor adventure and exploring
small towns and cool cities. The Virginia craft beer scene, combined with our
220 wineries, makes Virginia a top destination for culinary travelers looking
for true local flavor.”

"August Craft Beer Month is a huge opportunity for us
to show what Virginia craft beer is all about,” said Michael Killelea, Chairman
of the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild and brewer at
Legend Brewing Company. “We're really excited about the future. And
with help from the state tourism office, I think we can continue to grow and
encourage those of age to tap into what's being brewed here in the
Commonwealth."

Below is a sample of special events and travel packages
which beer lovers can experience in Virginia, with many more listed on www.Virginia.org/CraftBeer.

Taste Virginia’s award-winning craft beers in an amazing
outdoor setting with music, food and more at Devils Backbone Brewing Company,
located in Roseland at the base of Wintergreen Mountain. Craft
brewers from around the state will be on hand to pour local beer and compete in
the Virginia Beer Cup competition. August 25, 2012.11 a.m. to
8 p.m.

Celebrate August Virginia Craft Beer Month at Richmond’s
historic Linden Row Inn where guests will enjoy a one night getaway coupled
with a selection of Virginia's authentic craft beers. This package includes
accommodations in one of the Linden Row Inn’s Main House rooms, a “mix pack”
consisting of Legend Brown Ale (brewed in Richmond) and Star Hill JOMO Lager
(brewed in Crozet), a souvenir Virginia is for Lovers bottle opener and free overnight
valet parking as well as continental breakfast, in-town shuttle and more.
Rates
start at $159, based upon double occupancy, exclusive of taxes and subject to
availability. Must be at least 21 years of age to purchase this package.
Available
August 1-31, 2012.Reservations are available by visiting www.reservations.lindenrowinn.com or
calling 800-348-7424.

Beer and shoe lovers unite with Craddock Terry Hotel’s Brews
and Shoes package. The package includes a night in the historic boutique hotel,
a renovated shoe factory, as well as a five flight sampler on-site at the
Jefferson Street Brewery where guests leave with a 64 oz. growler filled to the
brim of their favorite beer. To top it off, the package includes
a $50 gift certificate redeemable at either one of the hotel’s on-site
award-winning restaurants where a selection of local beers is just waiting to be
tasted. Prices start at $209 for deluxe accommodations. Available
August 1-31, 2012.Guests must be 21 or older to book this package.
To
book, visit www.craddockterryhotel.com or
call 434-55-1500.

Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Visit www.Virginia.org to
start planning a trip or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a free, Virginia is for
Lovers travel guide. Stay connected on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers or
on Twitter @VisitVirginia.

About Me

Originally from New York and a Cornell University alumnus, I'm anentrepreneur, award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and beer expert who has worked with various publications and websites for the past 15 years, including FirstWeFeast.com, Ebony, Jezebel, Upscale, JET, Men's Book, WHERE Magazine and Atlanta Eats TV to name a few. I also specialize in celebrity profiles, lifestyle features, travel destinations, automobiles, dining, product reviews, sports, and numerous other topics. On the beer side, there's this cool site, my own beer show on the Web—Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’—beer events I host, judge various beer contests, and produce art productions throughout Atlanta via my creative agency AllWays Open Creative.